Tomorrow morning Sheboygan County’s Breakfast on the Farm will be at Devin-Acres, a fifth-generation farm in Elkhart Lake hosted by Kevin and Deb Kirsch from 7 am to noon. The dairy hosted back in 2011 and they were asked again two years ago and decided it was the right time. Kevin joked that just because you’ve hosted before, doesn’t make it any easier to get ready for.
The couple explained that Kevin’s great-great-grandpa started the farm back in 1872, meaning that next year, the family will be celebrating 150 years on the farm.
Even with all of the preparation and hard work that goes into planning a dairy breakfast, Kevin and Deb agree that it’s important to showcase agriculture. They explained that they normally have the Howard’s Grove kindergarteners come out and tour the dairy with their parents because they want to teach the kids about farming. “I’m just hoping we can teach some of these younger people and even older people what we do,” Kevin said.
Deb mentioned how it’s not only about teaching children. “When we do host the kindergarteners, a lot of times the parents come along and out of that whole group, if there are one or two kids that come from a farm, that’s it. You’re actually teaching the parents just as much as the kids.” She said that a lot of them don’t know what a dry cow is or what crops are made in the area, and that’s why she hopes people learn from the breakfast this weekend.
Kevin also said he wants people to realize that the cows are taken care of even better than some people. “You’ll see how good the cattle are actually treated. They eat better, they sleep better, and they lay in more comfortable conditions than most people do.”
Check out the dairy for yourself tomorrow, June 19th in Elkhart Lake.
Devin-Acres:
W3844 Primrose Lane
Elkhart Lake, WI 53020
You can hear the full interview with Kevin and Deb Kirsch on our podcast page.
